U2 Bassist Adam Clayton’s Former Assistant Going to Trial

A former personal assistant for U2's Adam Clayton has plead not guilty to charges of embezzling more than $3.5 million from the bassist and will begin the trial in Ireland's Dublin Circuit Criminal Court tomorrow. IrishTimes.com reports that 48-year-old Carol Hawkins is accused of 184 counts of theft from various bank accounts belonging to Clayton between the years 2004 to 2008, even allegedly making a single withdrawal of more than $375,000 in 2007.

Hawkins was arraigned Wednesday morning (June 6), quietly pleading not guilty to each and every of the 184 counts read out loud against her. Charges include both stealing Bank of Ireland checks belonging to Clayton and withdrawing funds from Bank of Ireland credit card services.

More than 30 witnesses -- including Hawkins and Clayton -- are expected to testify during the trial, which includes a 2,500 page book of evidence. Judge Patrick McCartan said the trial could last up to six weeks.

The 52-year-old Clayton, sporting a navy suit with an unbuttoned white shirt, was in attendance for the arraignment, sitting in the public gallery area of the court room with U2 manager Paul McGuinness. After Hawkins' arraignment, a jury of seven men and five women was appointed and sworn in by Judge McCartan.